Scientists have long made the link between mental health issues and substance misuse. In fact, the co-existence of both is referred to as “co-occurring disorders.”
According to the 2021 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), 19.4 million adults over the age of 18 had co-occurring disorders (see a diagram from the survey below). This is an increase from 9.5 million in 2019.
Why Do People With Mental Disorders Turn to Drugs?
Many people diagnosed with a mental disorder start abusing illegal drugs to either fight the symptoms of their illness or deal with the side effects of the medicine used to treat their illness.
Schizophrenia
Consider schizophrenia. About 50% of people suffering from the disorder have also abused illegal substances at some point during their lives, according to the article “Treating Substance Abuse among Patients with Schizophrenia” published in Psychiatry Online.
“It is widely assumed that patients with schizophrenia use substances to reduce psychotic symptoms and alleviate the sedating side effects of neuroleptics. However, the most common reasons given for use of alcohol and other drugs are to "get high" and to reduce negative affective states including social anxiety and tension, dysphoria and depression, and boredom.”
Researchers have made a connection between schizophrenia and marijuana use in particular. Use of the drug causes symptoms of schizophrenia – like hallucinations and paranoia – to get worse.
Anxiety
Teens dealing with a social anxiety disorder are more likely to start using marijuana at an earlier age, according to a study from Case Western Reserve University School.
What are reasons for the connection? There are young users who take the drug to appear more fun and to “alleviate the social anxiety of making friends,” according to the recent “Canadian Youth Perceptions on Cannabis” report, where interviewers spoke to youth participating in the study. In addition to that, both “cannabis intoxication” and withdrawal from the drug can lead to anxiety.
Regular cocaine use is also linked to anxiety disorders and stress.
Read more about the connection between various illegal drugs and mental disorders on DualDiagnosis.org.
Are you or someone you love suffering from co-occurring disorders? Find treatment near you using the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s locator below.
See More Sources for Additional Information
Nurturing My Mental & Emotional Health: https://teens.drugabuse.gov/teachers/lessonplans/nurturing-my-mental-emotional-health
Mental Illness and Substance Use in Young Adults: https://www.samhsa.gov/young-adults
Substance Use Disorders:
https://adaa.org/understanding-anxiety/related-illnesses/substance-abuse
Co-occurring Disorders:
https://www.samhsa.gov/disorders/co-occurring
Teens who use cannabis at risk of schizophrenia: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/305151.php
Social Anxiety Disorder and Marijuana Use Problems: The Mediating Role or Marijuana Effect Expectancies:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2773507/